On 31st May 1943 this 231 Squadron Mustang was force-landed on Clifton airfield and sustained some damage. The 231 Squadron ORB states the aircraft had suffered engine trouble prior to the forced landing.
Pilot - Acting S/Ldr John Parker Lucas MiD RAF (43104).
John Parker Lucas had originally served in the British Army, receiving a commission to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He had then served in the East Kent Regiment "The Buffs". As the RAF stepped up the number of their Army co-operation squadrons it appears that a number of Army officers switched to join the RAF to join the rank of the pilots serving in these squadrons. He was granted a temporary commission as Pilot Officer in the RAF on 11th April 1940 and was then promoted to F/O on 11th April 1941. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 24th September 1941 and was then promoted to F/Lt on 11th April 1942. He relinquished his commission in the RAF on 22nd February 1946, on return to Army duty.
Mustang AG369 was built to British Purchasing Corporation contract A-250 by North American Aviation, Los Angeles, USA and was shipped to the U.K. arriving at Liverpool Docks in November 1941. From there it was transported by road to No.1 A.A.U. at Speke for assembly and testing and was then placed into M.U. store. in June 1942 the aircraft was taken on charge by 63 Squadron at Gatwick, on 16th July 1942 the unit moved to Catterick. The aircraft was transferred to 1471 A.A.C. Flight at Old Sarum on an unknown date but on 10th October 1942 this unit disbanded so around this date the aircraft was transferred to 41 O.T.U. at Old Sarum who then moved to Hawarden on 15th November 1942. In April 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 231 Squadron at Clifton and on 31st May 1943 it sustained minor damage there that saw a Cat.A/FA damage assessment and a repair on site. On 7th July 1943 this unit moved to Dunsfold, then on 12th July 1943 to Weston Zoyland, on 22nd July 1943 back to Dunsfold and on 28th July 1943 to Woodchurch. On 15th August 1943 the aircraft's engine cut out on take off from Woodchurch and it crashed. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge.
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